Spring 2014

Your Customers Will “Like” This By Crystal Vilkaitis

Looking for ideas for meaningful and popular content on Facebook? Here are some.

Have you ever posted something on your Facebook page and felt like you were just talking to yourself?

Consumers are busy, just like you, and are navigating the Internet at lightning fast speeds. So now more than ever it’s crucial to post meaningful content on social media. You need to be posting content that speaks to them so it grabs their attention, feels relatable and adds value to their busy lives.

Here are some ideas for Facebook posts (with examples) to help you stand out from the competition and increase engagement.

Exclusive offers 

Giving your Facebook fans something special, something they cannot find anywhere else is one of the best ways to use social media and truly gives a reason for someone to follow you online.

Example: Lisa Lisa’s Gift Closet

Offer: Present photo at checkout to receive 20% discount.

Why it works: The use of a photo, which has heavier weight according to Facebook’s algorithm, will typically be shown to more people. The “Today only” creates a sense of urgency. Expert integration of popular “Throwback Thursday” theme.

Sneak peek

Consumers love getting a first look at what’s coming soon and just arrived in-store.

Example: Swagger Gifts

What: New product announcement

Why it works: Creates excitement. Helps customers “digitally window shop.” The sneak peek encourages customers to make their way to the store.

Popular Items

Your customers love knowing what’s hot. Showcase popular items by posting pictures and saying things like, “These are selling fast!” “*Popular Item Alert* Get This Before They’re Gone!”

Example: Impressions Boutique and Gifts 

What: “BACK IN STOCK!!!” in all capital letters and a photo of the item.

Why it works: “Before we sell out again” emphasizes popularity of item and encourages customers to act now.

Another way to showcase popular items is by creating Top 10 Lists. If you could turn your list into a graphic like a collage or infographic, that will help it get more exposure in the news feed. Canva.com and PicMonkey.com can help you create graphics for Facebook.

Popular Items

Your customers love knowing what’s hot. Showcase popular items by posting pictures and saying things like, “These are selling fast!” “*Popular Item Alert* Get This Before They’re Gone!”

Example: Impressions Boutique and Gifts 

What: “BACK IN STOCK!!!” in all capital letters and a photo of the item.

Why it works: “Before we sell out again” emphasizes popularity of item and encourages customers to act now.

Another way to showcase popular items is by creating Top 10 Lists. If you could turn your list into a graphic like a collage or infographic, that will help it get more exposure in the news feed. Canva.com and PicMonkey.com can help you create graphics for Facebook.

Customer Testimonials

When a customer tells you about a great experience they had in your store, share this with your online community.

Example: The Gift Box

What: Customer testimonial

Why it works: Peer recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing are the top ways consumers decide where to shop. Even if this particular customer might not be friends with potentials, sharing her testimonial allows the message to be seen by a wider audience.

Contests

One of the best ways to boost engagement and get more people commenting and liking is through contests.

Example: Repurpose Boutique

What: A branded contest called “Win-It-Wednesday”

Why it works: Name helps customers remember when the contest is, giving them the chance to mark their calendars.

The winner’s name splashed across the items to be won is a great way to spotlight both the winner and the contest.

Tip: Another way to feature fans is through a “Fan of the Week” type post, where you select fans and feature them on your page, giving them something special like a $10 gift certificate.

Solicit customer opinions

It’s important to use your store’s Facebook page for things than promoting products, sales and events.

Example: Awe Else Boutique

What: Feedback request for line of bags

Why it works: Engages customers and invests them in store by making them a part of the decision process.

Crystal Vilkaitis

Crystal Vilkaitis has been using social media to market businesses since 2007 producing results such as: tripled web sales, increased blog traffic by over 2700% and coverage in Entrepreneur magazine and USA Today. She is the owner of Crystal Media, a company dedicated to helping retailers market online to increase exposure, traffic and sales. To receive free weekly social media tips visit crystalmedia.co